Things to Do in Knik-Fairview

Bouncin' Bears’ indoor inflatables set the scene for kids to unleash their imaginations while zooming down slides and climbing through jungle gyms. Staff members keep a close eye on the sea of green, yellow, and blue inflatables, ensuring safe play as little ones bound over obstacles. The springy surface of bounce castles sends little monarchs soaring higher than Louis XIV’s built-in antenna, and age-appropriate inflatables host toddlers aged 3 and younger. In addition to open play, the facilities also host parties that incorporate activities such as Nerf-gun battles.

At Alaska Horse Adventures LLC, trails extend from the stables and into deep woods with mountain views, immersing riders in the natural beauty of the local landscape. Rides are tailored to accommodate all skill levels, allowing beginners to enjoy leisurely strolls along forested trails while advanced riders take advantage of more open terrain, streams, and the lack of backcountry speed-limit signs. From the vantage point of a noble steed, riders can catch glimpses of moose, bears, undomesticated uncles, coyotes, and migrating birds in their natural environment. Alaska Horse Adventures LLC also organizes seasonal activities such as backpacking trips and winter sleigh rides.

In a steady procession, waves rear up to 4 feet high before collapsing and delighting waders with blasts of spray. Unlike ocean waves, these aren’t governed by the moon, and they don’t crash against a beach. Instead, they rhythmically rise and fall in the wave pool at H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark, which stays open year-round and is the state’s only indoor water park.

Outside of the wave pool, park visitors can find watery solace floating down the 575-foot lazy river with its gentle current. For a higher-octane experience, the Master Blaster water coaster rockets riders through a splash-filled adventure much safer than riding a scooter into the shower. And when it comes to entertaining the younger set, the four cannons on the park’s pirate ship evoke intrigue on its waters, and the placid children’s lagoon gives tentative youngsters a haven for safe play.

All Fired Up serves as a portal to a wonderland of creative possibilities, where guests select figurines and dishware from multiple walls’ worth of pre-fired ceramics and unleash a flurry of brushstrokes over unembellished pieces. All of the shop’s bisques are dishwasher-safe, and its water-based paints are non-toxic and easily washable from hands, clothes, and Bride of Frankenstein wigs, making projects appropriate for artists of all ages. A panoply of pre-made designs makes a great starting point for gifts, which visitors can further personalize with hand, foot, or paw prints. Locally owned and operated, All Fired Up helps play its part in the community with a wealth of fundraising projects, such as paintable piggy-banks for donation drives.

An area mainstay for 51 years, Al's Alaskan Inn now pumps out DJ-helmed tunes from high quality sound systems in both its upstairs and downstairs spaces. Six bars, each with their own theme—such as Area 51, Voodoo Lounge, or The Injustice of Feudalism—stretch across the sprawling confines, while open mics and karaoke keep guests entertained outside of their nearby hotel rooms.